SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Sept. 11, 2010) – Junior forward Shara Robertson recorded her third career hat trick to boost the Mount Holyoke College field hockey team to a convincing 5-0 victory over Simmons College this afternoon at the Mount Holyoke Turf Field. With their third consecutive victory over the Sharks, the Lyons improved to 2-0 on the year.
Both squads went scoreless until the 28:53 mark, when junior forward Jess Fajardo redirected a blast by senior defender Amy Spekhardt over the shoulder of Simmons first year goalkeeper Renna Smith. Fajardo's second career winner came off of a penalty corner set.
Robertson used an assist from junior defender Tricia Chase to tally her first goal of the contest just over one minute later.
The Lyons then took advantage of another penalty corner opportunity to extend their cushion to 3-0 in the final minute of the opening frame. This time, Chase found the back of the cage off an assist from junior midfielder Taylor Hedges.
Robertson added two more goals in the second half to put things away. The first came off of a penalty corner chance and was assisted by senior midfielder Melissa Hartley at the 40:33 mark. The forward then closed out the scoring in the 52nd minute, when she took a short crossing pass from sophomore defender Stephanie Pascual and deposited it into the back of the cage.
Mount Holyoke finished with overwhelming advantages in both shots (30-3) and penalty corners (16-1). Junior goalkeeper Katie Gibson made two saves en route to her second consecutive shutout and the ninth of her career. Smith came up with ten stops for the Sharks.
The Lyons (2-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) will put the finishing touches on a three match homestand on Wednesday, when they entertain Wesleyan University at 7:00 p.m. Simmons (1-2, 0-0 NAC) is slated to host Bay Path College next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
